All 30 MLB ballparks to have expanded netting by opening day

Major League Baseball made the announcement Thursday ahead of an owners' meeting later in the day.

Author:
Associated Press

Published:
9:38 PM EST February 1, 2018

Updated:
9:38 PM EST February 1, 2018

LOS ANGELES (AP) — All 30 major league ballparks will have expanded protective netting that reaches to at least the far ends of each dugout by opening day.

Major League Baseball made the announcement Thursday ahead of an owners' meeting later in the day.

MLB issued recommendations for protective netting or screens in December 2015, encouraging teams to have it in place between the ends of the dugouts closest to home plate. The push for an expansion increased last year after a series of spectator injuries.

a boy was struck on the head by a portion of Chris Carter's broken bat at Yankee Stadium on May 25, and a fan sitting beyond the first-base dugout was hit by a 105 mph foul ball off the bat of Aaron Judge on July 25. A young girl was injured by a 105 mph foul ball off the bat of Todd Frazier on Sept. 20 and was hospitalized.

RELATED GALLERY:

Chipper Jones through the years

01/13

6 Mar 1997: Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves during the Braves 5-2 loss to the New York Mets at Port St. Lucie, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

02/13

27 Feb 1998: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves signs autographs for the fans during a Spring Training game against the Kansas City Royals at the Disney Wide World of Sports Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Royals defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory

03/13

28 Oct 1995: Third baseman Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves speaks with newsperson after winning game six of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won the game 1 - 0. Mandatory Credit:

04/13

16 Jul 1995: Third baseman Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves in action during a game against the San Diego Padres. The Padres won the game 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

05/13

ATLANTA, UNITED STATES: As Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (R) shows him the ball, third base umpire John Hirshbeck (L) calls Kenny Lofton of the Cleveland Indians safe as Lofton steals third base in the first inning of game one of the World Series in Atlanta, Georgia 21 October. Lofton was initially called out on the play but was then called safe. He then scored Cleveland's first run. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read CHRIS WILKINS/AFP/Getty Images)

06/13

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 17: Atlanta Braves' Chipper Jones(R) sprays champange on a teammate after winning the National League Championship series 17 October at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won the game 15-0 to win the series. The Braves will take on the New York Yankees in the World Series starting 19 October. (Photo credit should read BRIAN BAHR/AFP/Getty Images)

07/13

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 5: Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones leaps for a hit by Chicago Cub Rey Sanchez during their game 05 June in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves led the game 7-5 in the seventh enning. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read DOUG COLLIER/AFP/Getty Images)

08/13

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 24: Atlanta Brave Chipper Jones misses shot hit by Montreaal Expo Sean Berry in the eigth inning of the game 24 September in Atlanta, Ga. The Braves won in the tenth inning 5-4. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read DOUG COLLIER/AFP/Getty Images)

09/13

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 7: Members of the National and American League All-Star teams, from left, Chipper Jones, Ken Griffey Jr., Kevin Brown and Ivan Rodriguez talk during practice for the Major League Baseball All-Star game 07 July at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OH. The All-Star game will be played 08 July. (Photo credit should read KIMBERLY BARTH/AFP/Getty Images)

10/13

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 23: Cincinnati Reds' Pokey Reese (R)s tagged out while trying to steal in the third inning by Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones during their game at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA 23 August. The Braves won the game 10 to 3. (Photo credit should read STEVEN R. SCHAEFER/AFP/Getty Images)

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ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Houston Astros Russ Johnson (L) is tagged out by Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones after Johnson tried to make it to third base on a Brad Ausmus second inning single during their game at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA, 26 August. (Photo credit should read STEVEN R. SCHAEFER/AFP/Getty Images)

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ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 18: Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones just misses catching a fourth inning line drive off the bat of Florida Marlins player Todd Zeile during their game at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA 18 June. The Marlins beat the Braves 3-2. (Photo credit should read STEVEN SCHAEFER/AFP/Getty Images)

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 30: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves fields a throw during their game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 30, 1996 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Braves 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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